Wall facing



Jan. 23, 1940. A. F. THOMPSON WALL FACING Filed April 14, 1939 Patented Jan. 23, 1940.

, WALL FACI-NG. Augustus F. Thompson, Huntington, W. Va., as-

signor of one-half to A. F. Thompson Mfg. 00., Inc., Huntington, W. Va.

Application April 14, 1939, Serial No. 267,882

4 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in wall facings such as wainscoting or the like; in other words, a metallic lining for the exposed faces of walls to provide decorative or finished faces to walls of unfinished nature, so that an elaborate finish can be secured to rough surfaces which would otherwise be rough and unsightly. A particular object of this invention is to make these improvements in a simple and inexpensive manner.

The-objects of this invention are obtained by the means illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a perspective View of a portion of a wall with my improved facing applied thereto;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of Fig, 1;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view of a portion of a wall and facing;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the upper end of one of the panels; and

Fig. 5 is a similar view of one of the ends of one of the cleats.

Similar reference numerals in all the figures of the drawing designate'like parts.

Referring to the drawing, the numeral 5 designates a base wall or partition of any character, either brick or wood, which may be formed with the usual studs or the like, and to this base wall is secured my improved facing-which is preferably formed of sheet-metal and is secured thereto in a manner to hide from sight any nails, screws, bolts or other securing means used in its construction.

The facing used is formed in a series of panels 6 interlocked together at their edges with a series of vertically arranged cleats 8 which in turn are secured to the base walls in any suitable manner, preferably by screws 1 as shown in the drawing. These cleats 8 are formed with metal strips having their edges turned inwardly to form hook-shaped edges leaving a space between the free edges which form a guide for the hooked edges 9 of the panels, 6.

Panels 6 are preferably formed of sheet metal such as stainless steel or sheet metal coated with vitreous enamel and may be plain colored or otherwise provided with fanciful decorations to furnish a fancy or plain colored facing or interior finish. The length of these panels 6 is approximately the same as the height of the walls to be faced and the bases ID are preferably supported on sills ll formed on the base wall.

Cleats 8 are cut or formed approximately the same length as the panels 6 and extend the full length thereof; therefore the panels are gripped and held firmly in position their full length.

In assembling this facing a plurality of the cleats 8 are secured to the base wall as-described. The distance the cleats are spaced apart is approximately the width of the panels; then the panels are slipped downwardly in engagement with the cleats with each panel locked to adjacent cleats so that the locked edges of the panels engage with the hooked edges of the cleats and with the edges of the adjacent panels, abutting each other and forming a tight joint between the meeting edges of panels as shown clearly in Fig. 3. Thus the outside faces of the panels will present a smooth exterior over the entire facing and with the joint between the vertical edges completely closed, thereby forming a simple and strong facing for the wall.

I Tocomplete this facing a retaining moulding I2 is provided which is formed also of sheet, metal and is provided with a back-plate [3, an over-hanging top-plate 14 formed on an incline, and an inwardly projecting inclined lip or flange I5. When the flange I5 is in its retaining position the lower edge thereof engages with the outside face of the panels to firmly press them backwardly in engagement with the cleats 8. This retaining moulding is held in its locking position by inserting the back plate l3 behind the top ends. of the cleats which are sufliciently resilient to permit" this back plate being slid across the top edges of the panels and behind'a series of top ends of the cleats depending upon the length of the moulding.

Thus it is seen that a metal facing for a wall is provided which is free from any fastening means showing to mar the appearance of the finished Wall.

This wall finish can be as high as desired, to provide a wainscoting' of any height and may be of any color to harmonize with the room decorations. It is suitable for butcher shops, grocery stores or drug stores, and is suitable in bath series of panels, a series of holding cleats secured to the base wall, said panels and cleats provided with means for locking their edges together, and a retaining member for said panels provided with a resilient flange adapted to extend across the top ends of a series of panels and held in position by the top ends of said cleats.

3; A metallic facing for walls embodying a series of panels, a series of holding cleats secured to the base wall, said panels and cleats provided with means for locking their edges together, and a retaining member for said panels provided with a resilient flange and a backof panels, said back-plate being held in position in engagement behind the top ends of the cleats.

AUGUSTUS F. THOMPSON. 

